The Chicago Tribune had a recent article on ongoing training efforts to allow more effective police work with people with autism. Download Illinois police autism training.doc Among the tools being used by local area police departments:
"Wilmette officers now carry flash cards in their patrol cars to better communicate with autistic people who may struggle to respond verbally.
Northbrook authorities have a wallet-size card cuing them on how best to approach someone with autism-calmly, slowly and, if possible, without flashing lights.
In Naperville, youth officers next month will huddle with educators from the local school district to get tips on interviewing autistic children."
A great first step towards training police to avoid tragic and harmful consequences for children and adults with autism.
Thank God someone is training the police officers. Unless you have worked with this population, you don't understand the lack of communication skills and fight or flight responses.
Posted by: Tara Malphrus | January 27, 2009 at 06:18 PM